Pregnant women's confidence and perceptions on practices related to food safety: A study in Louisiana

Pregnant women are known as high-risk populations to infectious disease including foodborne illnesses. To protect pregnant women and their fetus from serious consequences of foodborne illness, food safety education is critical. The objective of this study was to measure pregnant women's confide...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Food control 2020-07, Vol.113, p.107175, Article 107175
Main Authors: Cater, Melissa, Gravois, Rebecca, Guerra Gaitan, Genesis G., Xu, Wenqing
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Confidence
Food safety
Perceptions of skills
Pregnant women
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Summary:Pregnant women are known as high-risk populations to infectious disease including foodborne illnesses. To protect pregnant women and their fetus from serious consequences of foodborne illness, food safety education is critical. The objective of this study was to measure pregnant women's confidence and perceptions on food safety practices in preparing their own meals at home. Two hundred and twenty-two pregnant women in and around urban area in Louisiana were recruited to complete the survey. Participants indicated high confidence in knowing how to keep foods safe for consumption as well as safe food handling skills. Thermometer using skills, however, were rated lowest, which indicated a gap in food safety education. •Pregnant women indicated high confidence in knowing how to keep foods safe.•Pregnant women showed high perception in safe food handling skills.•Responses to skill questions revealed education gaps.•Thermometer using skills were rated lowest.
ISSN:0956-7135
1873-7129
DOI:10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107175